Rebel Wolf (Wilde Brothers Ranch #5) - Scarlett Grove Page 0,14
decided on fun and flirty. It had an open back that showed more skin. And as she looked at her pale New York skin, she thought that a bit more color on her skin would make the dress look that much better.
She slipped out of the dress, put it back on the dress form, and trudged down the stairs to the house. She slid inside, sneaking like a mouse through the dark house. She tiptoed up the stairs, avoiding the creaky one as she hurried to her room. She slipped into her bedroom and closed the door without waking anyone. She hated feeling like a stranger in her own house, but it had always been that way. That was why she had to leave.
She'd left her cellphone in her bedroom, wanting to avoid any interruption while she worked, but she picked it up now and checked the time. It was 3:24 a.m.
She groaned and collapsed on the bed. She would answer Gunner's text in the morning and tell him that they could never see each other again. Or maybe she would just avoid him altogether. She turned off the lamp and fell asleep in her underwear, too tired to change into pajamas.
She didn't wake up until late the next morning. When she heard a knock at the door, she gasped, and her eyes snapped open. She sat up in bed.
“Just a minute,” she said in a groggy voice.
“Cassidy,” her mother called through the door. “I've made another pot of coffee.”
Cassidy grunted and pulled on her shorts and tank top before slipping into her sandals. She opened her bedroom door and found her mother standing on the other side, her eyes bright with excitement.
“I made you a cup.” She handed Cassidy the coffee.
Cassidy scowled, took the cup, and went back to sit on her bed before taking a long sip.
“I saw the dress,” her mother said. “It's marvelous.”
“Thanks.”
“You're so talented, sweetheart. You can do anything you want in life. You just have to go out there and make it happen.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“If you just give it some time, you won't have to compromise your artistic integrity.”
“I know what you're going to say, Mom, but I can't stay here. As soon as I get a job, I'm leaving.” Her voice was thick and gravelly, and her head was pounding. She was irritated that her mom had woken her up, but it was probably better to show her face downstairs sooner than later, or she would get hell from her dad for being a lazy layabout.
“You know, there's a storefront on Main Street that's available for rent. I always thought that it would be perfect for a boutique.”
“Mom. I can't afford to rent a storefront. I've got twenty-five dollars in the bank. I don't even have enough to fill my car with gas.”
“I'm sure that you could get a loan. I'll cosign for you.”
“Mom, you know Dad would never allow that.”
“He doesn't get to decide what I do.”
“Go, Mom.” Cassidy rolled her eyes and took another long swig of coffee.
“I'm not as weak willed as you think I am, sweetheart. Just imagine what it took for me to stay with your father all these years.”
Cassidy grunted. “You've got a point.”
“He's not as bad as you think he is. He has his flaws, but deep down, he's a good man. He did agree to pay half of your college tuition. Don't forget that.”
“I know, Mom. But I also know he never would have done it if you hadn't spent an entire year nagging him about it in your special way.”
“Well I just made him think that it was his idea,” she said. “That's the only way to handle men like your father.”
“You're some kind of mastermind genius, Mom,” Cassidy said.
“You know I am.” Her mother winked before she slipped out the door.
Cassidy pursed her lips. Her mom was cleverer than she gave her credit for. She had to admit that, but it didn't mean she was going to stick around. Things would never work out here. Her mom might be able to handle her dad, but Cassidy never could.
She couldn't forgive the ignorance or the attitude. He was a controlling dick most of the time, and Cassidy needed to get away from it if she was ever going to live her own life. She picked up her phone to check the time then tapped over to her texts. Gunner's last text was still sitting there unanswered, and she didn't know what to do. For the